by Goh Kae Min
Credit to:Loh Jing Li, Yap Siau Chin, Wong Qun Ting
Photographer: Gan Ming Shien
In recent years, as the Westlake
population grows inexorably due to the business of education, rumor has it that
the crime rate in the region has soared to threatening levels and the security
of student hostels is no longer as promising as it was. Living is perceived to
have been much safer and secured back to the good old days when stories of
bag-snatching or serial underwear theft were never heard.
Unsure of whether the deteriorating security is merely a rumor or as
serious as it purports, an investigation is specially conducted in order to
provide information which can be helpful in clearing the rumor while assisting
students to prevent crime.
First of all, we have the Danish House Management to answer a few
questions. According to Chang Yoke Meng, head of security department, about 80%
of the cases are actually petty crimes such as theft and committed by students
themselves. Plenty of theft cases have been solved and the offenders are often
students.
For the most updated case, a first year Accounting student was caught on
the spot when breaking in a house at 5am on July 15. It is believed that the
20-year-old suspect is held responsible for about 9 break-in cases in Westlake.
Loke Carmun, one of the victims claims that her IC and ID were successfully
recovered upon the arrest.
"It was a freaking nightmare when I woke up and discovered that my
purse, laptop and smart phone were all gone," says Loke. "It is a
great relief now that the suspect has been apprehended, and I hope my other
stolen items can be retrieved." Loke also urges all the students to lock
the gates and doors whenever leaving or entering the house.
As shown in
the record, though it is rare to have outsiders held responsible for the crimes
committed in Westlake, it does not mean there is none. Therefore, stand guards
at the entrances, closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance and constant
patrol remain some of the most significant efforts to minimize crime rate.
 |
CCTV surveillance system is set up in all the entrance of
the neighborhood.
|
 |
Mathan, who has been working as a stand guard for 6
years, claims that he and his colleagues are dedicated to keep Westlake safe.
|
"Frankly speaking, the record procedure performed
by the guards at each entrance would not contribute much in the prevention of
crime, however, when people stop at the entrance and scroll down the car
window, the guards would be able to observe while CCTV surveillance plays its
part," says Chang. "Coupled with the 24-hour patrol by the guards of
Danish House, the security system, in general, has already done its best to
safeguard the residents."
 |
| Sample of patrol date: The 24-hour patrol is
divided into two teams. One has a fixed set of routes to follow while the other
one will be randomly patrolling the neighborhood. |
 |
| Crime case report for 2011 and 2012: There is a decline in
reported crime in 2012. |
When asked
about the occurrence of sexual-related crime, Wilson Wong, the operation
manager at DHM reveals several reported cases on voyeurism and sexual harassment.
However, he assures the students that there is no rape case ever reported to
them.
"Recently there was one student who attempted to video record with his
smart phone over the bathroom's window was caught by our guards," says
Wong. "Students, especially those who stay in the ground floor should
always have their windows closed during shower and change of clothing."
Whenever the crime rate displays an escalating tendency, Wong claims that the
DHM will not intend to conceal. Instead, the security department will respond
instantly by making announcement through print notice and increase the
frequency of patrol. Chang, whose daughter is also a student, expresses his
concern that student security is the department's priority and it will never be
taken lightly.
"Besides the DHM, students have the responsibility to take care of
themselves too," says Chang. "Since most of the crimes are committed
by students living in the neighborhood, students ought to learn to be more
aware of their surroundings."
 |
Wong (left)
and Chang (right) urge students to stay alert and work together with DHM to
battle against crime in Westlake Homes.
|
Despite having private guards and security department, Westlake is still
a public neighborhood in which the police have full authority and
responsibility on any issue in regards to crime. The tangible efforts by police
thereby represent an attempt to, as SUPT Ng Kong Soon, the Ketua Polis
Daerah (KPD) of Kampar puts it, protect the students and assure a safe and
peaceful learning environment. To realize that, a consensus has to be built
between the police and the students.
"In
response, police have reinforced protection in the region. For instance, we
have already set up a pondok bit polis and several polis patrol boxes in
Westlake," says Ng. "However, after all, it is more important for the
students to learn to be cautious."
 |
One of the police patrol boxes: Police will be scheduled to patrol
the neighborhood according to the placement of the boxes.
|
 |
Pondok
Bit Polis serves as an emergency center in
Newtown.
|
 |
Ng discusses about the Westlake security matters with a group of student
journalists from J-on in his office.
|
As the KPD and a father, there are a few advices given by Ng to students:
1. Lock the doors and gates every time you enter
the house. No one can do it for you unless you start to be responsible of your
own safety.
2. Do not put your bags or any valuable belongings
in the bicycle's basket. (A lot of bag-snatching cases had happened near to the
"rainbow corridor")
3. Do not leave your laptops, smart phones,
wallets or any valuable belongings in the common area.
4. Do not walk alone in dark, especially outside
the neighborhood.
5. It is a must for students to stay alert to the
surroundings.
Please do
not hesitate to call these numbers for help and emergency.
"For the most recent news, please refer to the link below"
Latest News
Police
Bilik
Gerakan Kampar:
05-466 0029
Balai Polis
Kampar:
05-465
2222, 05-465 3322
Westlake Homes
- Hunting
Line :
05-4671 763 /
05-4658 711
- Hotline :
012-469 3740
.jpg)
